Web press with fountain roller and ductor roller drive



Feb. 17, 1970 R. B. THATCHER WEB PRESS WITH FOUNTAIN ROLLER AN DUCTOR ROLLER DRIVE Filed Jan. 17. 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 mwsrrron ROBERT E. THATCHER ATTORNEYS Feb. 17,1970 R. a. THAT CHER 3,495531 WEB PRESS WITH FOUNTAIN ROLLER AN DUCTOR ROLLER DRIVE Filed Jan. 17. 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb.- 17; 1970 v R. B.-THATCHER WEB PRESS WITH FOUNTAIN ROLLER AN DUCTOR ROLLER DRIVE I Filed Jan. 17. 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ROBERT B. THATCHER ATTORNEYS Feb. 11,1970 R. THAT CHER 3,49

WEB PRESS WITH FOUNTAIN ROLLER-AN DUC'IOR ROLLER DRIVE Filed Jan. 17. 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR I ROBERT E. THATCHER Feb. 17, 1970 R. IB. THATCHER 3,495,531

WEB PRESS WITH FOUNTAIN ROLLER AN DUCTOR ROLLER DRIVE Filed Jan. 17. 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I67 I72 l6 J [/74 P 7 "0% J I73 4 I60 l7l l6 neswo I74 v INVENTO R ROBERT E. THATCHER BY Mmul ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,495,531 WEB PRESS WITH FOUNTAIN ROLLER AND DUCTOR ROLLER DRIVE Robert B. Thatcher, Fort Worth, Tex., assignor to The Chandler & Price Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Jan. 17, 1966, Ser. No. 521,008 Int. Cl. F41f 31/10 US. Cl. 101141 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A printing press with an upstanding frame with a plate cylinder journalled in the frame, ink and water fountains for the plate cylinder which include a fountain roller and a shiftable ductor roller, a ratchet-pawl-cam drive for each fountain operated through the same two-stroke linkage driven from a walking beam, the ratchet rotating the fountain roller with the ductor roller thereagainst on one stroke while the cam shifts the ductor roller on the opposite stroke.

plication of the ink in particular, streaks often occur which may be due to an overlay action of ductor roll and accordingly the transfer and break up of the ink in its application to the plate cylinder usually requires a com- 7,

plex inking train and generally at least four ink forms rollers. In the application of both the water and ink the problem is to obtain uniform precise application with as simple a drive mechanism as possible.

Another problem in web presses is the locking of the blanket to the blanket rolls in a manner to afford easy replacement, longer blanket life and less costly blanket roll and blanket lock-up construction. Oftentimes rotational devices are used to obtain a tight blanket or proper blanket tension, but these often tend to tear the blanket and are costly to manufacture.

It is accordingly a principal object of the present invention to provide a web press with a simplified fountain drive mechanism affording even non-streaking distribution of ink and water.

Another object is the provision of a web press printing assembly which may conveniently be stacked with the ink and water fountain units thereof, driven through a common drive mechanism.

Yet another object is the provision in a web press of a fountain drive mechanism utilizing a ratchet and cam mechanism giving a predetermined yet variable movement one of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawing:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a web press in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the opposite side of the press shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the printing assemblies and the fountain drive therefor;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary further enlarged side elevation partially broken away illustrating the inking unit fountain drive mechanism;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the inking fountain drive mechanism as seen in the upper right-hand corner of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the water fountain drive mechanism; 7

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the drive connection between the rockshaft and the transfer cam operating the ink ductor roller which differs slightly from the water fountain drive shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a broken end elevation of the blanket with the preformed fastening clips in place;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 illustrating the clips bent to lock the ends of the blanket in place; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary enlarged section showing the blanket secured in place on the blanket roll.

PRESS, GENERAL ASSEMBLY Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1 it will be seen that the press comprises a roll stand 1, stacked printing assemblies 2 and 3, and a folding and cutting unit 4. The printing assemblies 2 and 3 as well as the folding unit 4 may be mounted on a common base 5 whereas the web roll stand 1 is provided with its own base 6 and frame members 7 and 8 which are readily removably secured to the base 5 as by the fasteners indicated at 9. A top frame 10 extends from side plates 11 mounted on frame columns 12 rearwardly over the top of the printing assemblies 2 and 3 and maybe secured by fasteners 13 to the top of the roll stand 1.

In the illustrated embodiment the roll stand includes supports for two web rolls 14 and 15, one over the other feeding the webs 16 and 17, respectively, to the top and bottom printing assemblies 2 and 3. The roll stand 1 includes brake assemblies shown generally at 18 and 19 for each of the rolls which are controlled by sensing rolls 20 and 21, respectively. Although in the illustrated embodiment two rolls are illustrated, one for each printing assembly, it will be appreciated that fewer or more rolls may be used depending upon the utilization of the printing assemblies. The roll stand 1 is the subject of applicants copending application entitled Web Roll Stand, Ser. No. 519,487, filed Jan. 11, 1966, now. Patent No. 3,355,122.

After the webs 16 and 17 leave the printing assemblies 2 and 3, they pass over compensating adjustable roller assemblies 23 and 24 and then in overlapping relationship over idler 25 to be folded longitudinally and then cut and folded transversely by the folding unit 4. The folding unit 4 is also the subject of applicants copending application entitled Web Cutter and Folder, Ser. No. 524,575, filed Feb. 2, 1966, now abandoned.

The main drive motor for the press is housed beneath the cutting and folding unit 4 as shown at 27 and drives lineshaft 28 from which the folder unit 4 is driven by chain 29. The shaft 28 is connected to a gear box 30 from which a chain drive 31, not completely shown for clarity of illustration, transmits power to the printing unit. Correct timing between the ink and water rollers and the cylinders is, of course, maintained by meshing gears. The rolls of the press are for the most part journalled between heavy duty side plates 32 and 33 which are provided with pear-shaped access windows as shown at 34 for each of the printing assemblies.

THE PRINTING UNITS Each of the printing assemblies 2 ad 3 actually comprises two separate printing units which are in effect back to back to print the opposite sides of the web passing vertically therethrough. Thus in the two printing assemblies shown there are four printing units, one for each side of the two webs being printed.

Referring now additionally to FIG. 2 it will be seen that the printing assembly 2 includes a printing unit 35 and a printing unit 36 while the assembly 3 includes a printing unit 37 and a printing unit 38. The printing units 35 and 37 may be identical in form while the printing units 36 and 38 are identical to each other and the allochiria of the units 35 and 37, respectively. Since the units 35 through 38 are thus so similar, only one such unit i.e. 35 will be described in detail and common reference numerals will be assigned to like parts of the other units.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 it will be seen that the unit 36 comprises a blanket roll 46 running against a plate cylinder 41 with the web 16 passing vertically upwardly between the blanket rolls 40 of the units 35 and 36. Ink form rollers 42 and 43 run against the plate cylinder 41 and a vibrator roller 44 runs between such form rollers. A rubber covered transfer roller 45 runs between vibrator roller 44 and vibrator roller 46. The vibrator roller 46 may preferably be made of copper and ink is applied thereto by ductor roller 47 mounted on arms 48 interiorly of the plates 32 and 33 which are secured to ductor pivot shaft 49. The ductor roll 47 is thus mounted for short distance pivotal movement about the axis of pivot shaft 49 between copper vibrator roller 46 and fountain roller 50 which runs in the ink fountain 51. The vibrator rollers 44 and 46 are vertically aligned and may be caused to reciprocate axially during operation of the press by a rockshaft and yoke arrangement, not shown. If desired, ink distributing rolls as shown at 52 may be provided running against the vibrator roll 46 to obtain the desired break-up and distribution of ink.

Referring now to FIG. 1 it will be seen that water may be applied to the plate cylinder 41 from water fountain 53 by means of dampening fountain roll 54, ductor roll 55, copper vibrator roll 56, and molleton roller 57 running against the plate cylinder 41. As in the case of the inking fountain, the ductor roll 55 is mounted on a pair of arms 58 and perhaps best seen in FIG. interiorly of the side plates 32 and 33 which are in turn mounted on ductor pivot shaft 59.

Accordingly it will be seen that each printing unit comprises a blanket roll and a plate cylinder with ink and water roll trains applying periodically predetermined amounts of ink and water to the plate cylinder. Therefore, for each printing unit there is an ink and water fountain or a total of eight such fountains for the entire press.

FOUNTAIN DRIVE MECHANISM Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2 it will be seen that chain drive 61 from gear box 30 drives sprockets 62 and 63 on jackshaft 64. The chain 61 may be trained about the sprocket 62 while a chain 65 is trained sprocket 63. Sprocket 65 is also trained about large sprocket 66 mounted on shaft 67 and such large sprocket includes an eccentric pin 68 pivoted to link 69 which is pivoted at 70 to walking beam 71 mounted for rocking movement about its center pivot 72.

As perhaps best seen in FIG. 2, the opposite ends of such walking beam 71 are pivotally connected to links 74 and 75 which are connected to the water fountain drives 76 and 77, respectively, of the printing units 37 and 38. Connected to the upper ends of the links 74 and 75 are links 78 and 79 which extend upwardly and are connected to the ink funtain drives 80 and 81, respectively,

of the printing units 37 and 38. The upper end of the links 78 and 79 are connected to further links 82 and 83 which are connected to the water fountain drives 84 and 85, respectively, for the printing units 35 and 36. The upper ends of the links 82 and 83 are connected to further links 86 and 87 which are connected to the ink fountain drives 88 and 89, respectively, for the printing units 35 and 36.

It can now be seen that as the walking beam 71 rocks about the center pivot 72, the links 74, 78, 82 and 86 on one side, as well as the links 75, 79, 83 and 87 on the other side will be vertically reciprocated driving the ink and water fountains of the printing units.

The actual fountain drive mechanisms 76, 80, 84 and 88 on the one side and 77, 81, and 89 on the other are substantially similar in form with practically all of the parts employed being the same with identical functions. Accordingly, only one such drive mechanism will be described in detail. In FIG. 3 there is an enlarged end elevation of the ink fountain drive unit 88- and in FIG. 4 a perspective view of such drive unit. In FIG. 5 there is an exploded perspective view of a water fountain drive unit such as the unit 85 shown in FIG. 2, and in FIG. 6 there is illustrated the only basic structural difference between the ink and fountain drives other than orientation or position of parts.

Referring first to FIG. 5, the link 83 seen in FIG. 2 is connected at 91 to main drive operating lever 92 which is in the form of a bellcrank. The middle of the main drive lever is provided with a through-bore 93 which is fitted on and freely rotatable on the extension 94 of water fountain roller 54 which projects through side plate 33. Reciprocation of the link 83 will thus oscillate the main drive lever 92.

Also mounted on the extension 94 of the fountain roller 54 on the exterior of the side plate 33 is a control cam 95 circular in form having a flattened surface 96 which is secured to a pear-shape operating plate 97. Such cam 95 is provided with a through-bore 98 which permits the cam to be rotated on the shaft extension 94. Between the cam 95 and the lever 92 there is provided a fountain control ratchet 99 having through-bore 100 provided with key slot 101. The extension 94 of the fountain roller is also provided with a key slot 102 so that the ratchet 99 can be keyed to such shaft extension. The ratchet 99 constitutes the drive mechanism for rotation of the fountain roller 54 and, as illustrated, is provided with a large odd number of teeth.

The ratchet is driven by pawl 103 pivotally mounted on the projecting end of pin 104 seen in the lower right-hand corner of FIG. 5. Such pin is positioned through aperture 105 in the arm 106 of operating lever 92 and fits within aperture 107 in the pawl. The pawl may be held in place by means of a snap ring on the end of the pin 104. A coil spring, not shown, is provided in groove 108, one end of which may be anchored to pin 109 fitted through aperture 110 in the outer end of the arm 106 of the lever 92.

The pawl 103 is provided on its interior with a follower 111 which cooperates with the cam 95 and more particularly the flattened surface 96 thereof. It can thus be seen that the rotational position of the index control cam 95 will control the extent of driving engagement between the pawl 103 and the ratchet 99 and accordingly the arcuate rotation of the fountain roller 54.

Oppositely positioned pawl 115 is also mounted on pin 104 projecting from arm 106 and is also provided with a coil spring in slot 113 anchored to the opposite end of pin 109 urging the pawl into engagement with ratchet 117. The ratchet 117 is provided with six equally spaced notches and a center throughbore 118 which permits the ratchet to be fitted upon the projection 94 of the fountain roller 54 and yet rotatable thereon. Secured to the face of the ratchet 117 by fasteners 120 is a star cam 121 having six identical equally spaced projections 122 separated by circular recesses 123.

It can now be seen that the cam 95, ratchet 99, main operating lever 92, ratchet 117 and star cam 121 are all stacked upon the projection 94 of the fountain roller 54, but only the ratchet 99 is keyed thereto for rotation therewith. It can further be seen that as the linkage connected to the off-set pivot 91 of the operating lever 92 reciprocates due to the action of the walking beam 71, the main operating lever 92 will be caused to oscillate and the ratchet 99 will be driven intermittently in the direction of the arrow 125 on one stroke while on the return stroke the ratchet 117 will be driven intermittently in the direction of the arrow 126. The parts above indicated may be secured in place on the fountain roller shaft projection 94 'by a snap ring, not shown in FIG. 5, but illustrated at 127 in FIG. 4.

The star cam 121 functions to oscillate rocker arm 130 to obtain intermittent action of the ductor roller 55. The follower 131 is mounted on pin 132 projecting into aperture 133 in the end of the arm 130. The arm 130 is provided with a central through-bore 134 which is fitted over projection 135 which is an extension of ductor pivot shaft 59. A pin 136 on the opposite end of the arm 130 projects into slot 137 of yoke 138 which is mounted on such shaft projection 135 and may be secured thereto for rotation therewith by set screw 139. Play and adjustment of the pin 136 within the slot 137 may be controlled by screw 140 to obtain precise ductor roll action. A spring 142 is secured to the end of the arm 130 provided with the pin 136 and urges the follower 131 into engagement with the star cam 121.

While the extent of rotation of the fountain roller 54 may be varied by means of the control cam 95, the rotation of the ratchet 117 is a constant 60 for each stroke of the linkage and functions to move the follower 130 from one recess 123 in the star cam 121 to the next recess over a projection 122 causing short yet complete stroke oscillation of the rocker arm 130 and thus the ductor pivot shaft 59. This in turn causes the ductor roller 55 to shift from a position in engagement with the fountain roller 54 to a position in engagement with the vibrator roller 56 and back again. The ductor roller 55 is ordinarily not power driven and is rotated only by its contact with the fountain roller 54 or vibrator roller 56. The duration of contact with the vibrator roller is governed by the peripheral extent of the projections 122 on the star cam 121.

The ink fountain drive mechanism is substantially the same with the exception that the arm 130 and yoke 138 are mounted on a stub shaft 144 and held in place by means of snap ring 145. Also mounted on such stub shaft and oscillated thereby is a transfer yoke 1'46 confining the rounded end 147 of operating arm 148 mounted on the end of ductor pivot shaft 49. As seen more clearly in FIG. 2, a spring 150 connects the outer ends of the arms 130 of the ink fountain drives 88 and 89 urging the followers 131 thereof into engagement with the respective star cams.

As seen more clearly in FIG. 4, for each fountain drive, the control cam 95 may be operated from the opposite side of the press by rotation of control shaft 152 which rotates arm 153, the outer end of which is connected to link 154 which is in turn connected at 156 to the pear-shape operating plate 97 on which the cam 95 is mounted.

FOUNTAIN DRIVE MECHANISM OPERATION Referring first to FIG. 2 it will be seen that the walking beam 71 alternately 'vertically moving the links 74, 78, 82 and '86 on the one side, and the links 75, 79, 83 and 87 on the other, causes the simultaneous application of ink and water in the printing units on the down stroke by movement of the ductor roll against the adjacent vibrator roll. On the opposite up stroke, ink or water is applied to the ductor roll by predetermined rotation of the fountain roll with the ductor roll thereagainst.

Referring now to FIG. this application of ink or water to the ductor roll will be seen to be accomplished by vertical upward movement of the linkages connected at 91 to the main operating lever 92 which causes the pawl 103 to engage the ratchet 99 rotating the same in the direction of the arrow for an arcuate extent controlled by the index cam 95. At this time the ductor roll 55 is in engagement with the fountain roller 54 due to the fact that the follower 131 is in one of the arcuate recesses 123 of the star cam 121. It can thus be seen that the extent of rotation of the fountain roller with the ductor roller thereagainst will determine the amount of ink or Water picked up by the ductor roller.

Then, during the appropriate portion of the cycle of operation of the press, ink and water is applied to the ink and water roll trains and thus to the plate cylinders. The application of the ink and water is obtained by shifting the ductor rollers from a position against the fountain rollers to a position against the adjacent 'vi- 'brator rollers which are power driven. The ductor rollers are held against the vibration rollers by the projections 122 on the star cam 121 and when the follower 131 drops into the next recess 123, the ductor roller will then be brought back against the fountain roller. However, the ductor roller will not pick up additional ink or water until the up stroke of the linkages causing the ratchet 99 to rotate the fountain roller a predetermined amount with the ductor roller thereagainst.

BLANKET LOCK Referring now to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 and more particularly to FIG. 9, it will be seen that the blanket 160 is secured to the blanket roll 40 by means of a T-bar 161 secured in longitudinal recess 162 in the roll 40' by means of a plurality of fasteners 163 such as the recess head socket cap screws illustrated. The downwardly facing shoulders 164 of the T-bar 161 cooperate with and confine rebent aluminum strips 165 and 166 which are locked to the end edges of the blanket in the manner indicated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

The aluminum strips are initially bent about the ends '167 and 1 68 of the blanket 160 as indicated at 170 and 171 leaving a strip width 172 on one side of, for example, approximately one-half inch and a strip width 173 on the opposite side of approximately one inch. The looking strips are then bent again about the short side edge 174 as a hinge point to provide a larger radius fold 175 with the approximate distance between the folds 170 and 175 then being about nine-sixteenths of an inch.

The blanket is then wrapped around the blanket roller 40 with the blanket strips locked and folded in place and the T bar 161 is then inserted and the fasteners 163 are tightened to apply a uniform tension to the blanket transversely of the recess 162. The shoulders of the T-bar engage and confine the initial bends 170 and 171 of the respective locking strips pulling the blanket down over the rounded edges 178 of the recess 162 as the fasteners are tightened. The bending of the locking strips may be accomplished manually with a suitable press brake fixture so that the operator may quickly and conveniently replace blankets as desired.

It can now be seen that there is provided a web printing press incorporating improvements in ink and fountain drive mechanisms ensuring better application of ink and water to the plate cylinders. Moreover, the fountain mechanisms avoid ink streaks and provide more even distribution and break-up of the ink permitting only two ink'forms rollers to be used. The common use of parts in the ink and fountain drive mechanisms, of course, provides more economical construction of the press and still provides the proper ink distribution with accurate controls. The simplified blanket lock obtains a means quickly and conveniently to change the blankets while applying the same in simplified manner with uniform tension about the blanket rollers.

Other modes of applying the principles of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims or the equivalent of such be employed.

I, therefore, particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. A printing press comprising a plate cylinder, ink and water fountains for said plate cylinder, said fountains each including a fountain roller, a ductor roller, and a roll train leading to said plate cylinder, means mounting said ductor rollers for transfer movement from a position against said fountain rollers to a position against said roll trains, and two-stroke fountain drive means operative to rotate said fountain rollers with said ductor rollers thereagainst on one stroke, and to shift said ductor rollers from said fountain rollers to a position against said roll trains on the return stroke; said twostroke fountain drive means comprising a drive ratchet drivingly connected to said fountain rollers, an operating lever rotatably mounted coaxial with said drive ratchet, and a pawl mounted on said operating lever in driving engagement with said ratchet on said one stroke, said two-stroke drive means including a walking beam, and link means interconnecting an end of said walking beam with said operating lever operative to oscillate the same; a second ratchet coaxially mounted with respect to said operating lever, and a second pawl on said operating lever in driving engagement with said second ratchet on said return stroke, a cam secured to said second ratchet operative to shift said ductor rollers to said roll train, hold the same thereagainst, and return the same to said fountain rollers as said second ratchet is driven by said second pawl on said return stroke; a rocker arm, a follower for said cam mounted on said rocker arm, and means interconnecting said rocker arm and ductor rollers operative to shift the same as aforesaid.

2. A printing press as set forth in claim 1 including a pin projecting from said rocker arm, a yoke adapted adjustably to receive said pin, a pivot shaft for said ductor roller, and means interconnecting said yoke and pivot shaft operative to oscillate the latter to shift said ductor roll as aforesaid.

3. A printing press comprising a vertically upstanding frame, a plate cylinder journalled in said frame, ink and water fountains for said plate cylinder substantially vertically aligned with each other, said fountains each in cluding a fountain roller, a ductor roller, and a roll train leading to said plate cylinder, means mounting said ductor roller for transfer movement from a position against said fountain roller to a position against said roll train, and two-stroke fountain drive means operative to rotate each fountain roller with the respective ductor roller thereagainst on one stroke, and to shift said ductor roller from said fountain roller to a position against said roll train on the return stroke, said two-stroke fountain drive means comprising a drive ratchet drivingly connected to each fountain roller, an operating lever rotatably mounted coaxially with each drive ratchet for oscillatory movement during said one stroke and said return stroke, and a pawl mounted on each operating lever in driving engagement with each ratchet on said one stroke, means connected with said operating lever and to said ductor roller for moving said ductor roller to said roll train, holding the same thereagainst, and returning the same to said fountain roller in response to movement of said operating lever in said return stroke, said two-stroke drive means including a substantially horizontally disposed walking beam, and vertically extending link means interconnecting an end of said walking beam with each operating lever operative to oscillate the same.

4. A printing press as set forth in claim 3 including a second ratchet coaxially mounted with respect to each operating lever, a second pawl on each operating lever in driving engagement with said second ratchet On said return stroke, each said drive and second ratchet and the respective operating lever being mounted on an extension of the shaft of the respective fountain roller with said drive ratchet only being secured thereto.

5. A printing press as set forth in claim 4 including a cam secured to each second ratchet, rocker arms, a follower for each cam mounted on the respective rocker arm, and means interconnecting each rocker arm and the respective ductor roller operative to shift the same as aforesaid.

6. A fountain drive mechanism for printing presses of the type having a fountain roller, and a ductor roller, means mounting said ductor roller for shifting movement between positions wherein said ductor roller is engaged with and disengaged from said fountain roller, means including a cam follower for shifting said ductor roller, a first drive ratchet operatively connected to said fountain roller, an operating lever mounted for oscillation coaxially with said first drive ratchet, a second ratchet coaxial with said drive ratchet and operating lever, a cam secured to said second ratchet and engaged with said cam follower operative to shift said ductor roller, first pawl means interconnecting said operating lever and said first drive ratchet operative to rotate said first drive ratchet and thus said fountain roller on one stroke of said lever, and second pawl means interconnecting said lever and said second ratchet operative to rotate said cam on the return stroke of said lever to shift said ductor roll.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 956,316 4/1910 Droitcour 101-363 2,739,533 3/1956 Huebner et a1. 101350 X 2,915,970 12/1959 Mestre 101-148 X 3,120,803 2/1964 Greenwood 101351 ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner J. R. FISHER, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

